Parking available at the picnic pavilion off of Hwy 18. The Concerts in the Park are free and open to the public. 16 Joint Grand Representative party for Frank McKenna - Virginia and Ruthann Watts-Arizona at 1 p.m. Pavilion in the Woods at Three Pillars in Dousman. Picnic, casual attire. RSVP to Rita Ludyjan rludyjan@wi.rr.com or 262-547-0682. 17 Diane Jones, Grand Representative of Mississippi in Wis., Sparta Masonic Center, 603 N. Court, Sparta. Brief stated meeting at 7 p.m., reception to follow. Ann Johnson W. M. RSVP to Secretary Mary Moen at 608-269-2662.

18 15th John Ottum Memorial Golf Outing, Hosted by Beja Shrine. Royal St. Patrick’s Golf Course, Wrightstown. 10 a.m. registration “4 Man Scramble”, 11 a.m. Shotgun Start. See page 14. 19 Tomah Lodge No. 132, summer steak fry. Social hour 5 p.m. and dining at 6 p.m. Bring a dish to pass and your choice of drink. Contact Don Roscovius with the number of steaks you will need, We are looking to keep the cost of the steaks to $10 each. If you need assistance getting to the Lodge we will make arrangements to pick you up and take you home. RSVP Don Roscovius at dbroscovius@aol.com or work, 608-372-4326 or home 608-374-3459.

VOLUME L, NUMBER 7 The Official Publication of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin SUMMER 2017 The Grand Master’s Message: By Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Wisconsin Brother L. Arby Humphrey THE WISCONSIN Masonic Journal On Our Cover Master of Fort Winnebago Lodge No. 33, Bro. Tyson Swan, addresses a full lodge room at the dedication of their new building following a ribbon cutting ceremony and cornerstone dedication on June 24. The new Masonic Center is located at 205 Dewitt St. in downtown Portage.

Photo by Rich Rygh Thank you for the opportunity to serve Wisconsin Free and Accepted Masons and for your trust and support as we move forward.

In the many District meetings that I attended this past year, as well as in many personal conversations with respected Masons, I asked where our priorities should be. It will come as no surprise that I kept hearing the same thing voiced over and over again. At every single district meeting and in so many personal conversations, when I asked what our top three priorities should be . every single time membership was always on the list.

Those of you who know me well, know that I love to question WHY. At district meetings all across the state, where you told me that membership was the top priority, I asked you “Why is membership important?” Amazingly, when we kept asking why, and really dug down to the roots, we came up with the same answer, every single time, at every district meeting. The bottom line wasn’t because the lodge was fading away. It wasn’t because we have shrunk by about 50,000 Masons from our peak in Wisconsin, and it wasn’t because the lodge could no longer afford its current infrastructure. Same bottom-line answer every single time; membership in our fraternity is important because the world really needs more Masons.

Brothers I hear you. Now the easy part is done, the talking. It’s time to go to work and take positive action. Membership comes in three flavors: new membership, participation, and retention. Let’s talk about new members. We can all agree that the world needs more Masons. Society is rapidly changing and the need for civility is becoming critical. Look around; listen to the news; there is no doubt that the world, our county, our communities desperately need more good Masons and we need them NOW! The world really needs a good dose of Masonry. As Masons and citizens, it is our duty to identify good men, who can exemplify our great tenets, and bring those men into our fraternity.

As more good men are introduced to our principles, they will be a positive impact on the world and our communities.

The challenge is that in today’s busy and rapidly changing world, many men may find it difficult to find the time required to complete the experience of receiving degrees on multiple days and also additional dates and time to prepare for each degree. In addition, some Lodges struggle to organize and confer degrees and without help, and some may find the juggling of demanding schedules difficult. As a result, some candidates languish. As an alternative to our traditional degree format, this year Wisconsin Masons will offer a Masonic Day of Light. The Masonic Day of Light is an optional program that will attract candidates with busy life styles and provide them with an introductory Masonic experience that is second to none.

Candidates who attend this Masonic Day of Light program will receive all three degrees and the associated lectures in the same day. The degrees conferred at the Masonic Day of Light will be of the very highest quality, conferred by the best of the best. In addition, they will receive instruction following the Wisconsin Plan, and will post in the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees. They will also receive a foundational education in the Master Mason degree. A mentor will be required to accompany each candidate. The mentor is a vital part of the candidate’s experience. Mentors will assist in the degree, attend and participate in the training sessions and assist with the posting process.

While not required, the mentor should be familiar with the Wisconsin Program. Details will be sent to each mentor, lodge, and candidate with additional information. Following each of the first two degrees, the newly made Brothers will receive instruction in accordance with our Wisconsin Program Posting Guide. The sessions will be instructor led. The postings will satisfy the requirements of the Masonic Code and our Wisconsin Plan as well as qualify them to receive the next degree. After receiving the MM degree, Brothers will be required to return to their home Lodge to complete the Master Mason Posting to the satisfaction of the Worshipful Master and the lodge.

My Brothers, how these new Masons are handled after the Masonic Day of Light is vital. We must follow up, engage them, make a special effort to welcome them into the local Masonic family and integrate them, and their family members into our fraternity and local lodge. Lodges that participate in this event will be required to bring the new Masons back to the Lodge to complete their Master Mason posting within 30-60 days of the Masonic Day of Light. In addition, the Lodges must present the aprons and holy writings in a celebration honoring our new Brothers, with significant others, friends and families present to help celebrate that achievement.

The Masonic Day of Light event is expected to cost the Lodge approximately $75 per candidate and will include refreshments and lunch for the candidate and his mentor, a presentation apron, holy writings, posting booklets for the candidate and a keepsake square and compasses. A hoodwink and cable tow will be provided. Each lodge’s “usual fees” may still apply to the candidate. The initial Masonic Day of Light events will be held on November Grand Master L. Arby Humphrey See GM Message on page 6 Most Worshipful Bro. L. Arby Humphrey Installed as Grand Master for 2017-18 Grand Master L. Arby Humphrey By Rich Rygh Bro.

Kenneth Mertz, Master of Acacia-Itasca Lodge No. 329; assisted by Senior Warden Bill Davis, Connaught Lodge No. 511, Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, Algoma District; Junior Warden Richard Eisenmann, Past Master of Acacia-Itasca Lodge; and Chaplain Scott Larson, Past Master of Acacia-Itasca Lodge, opened a Lodge in the auditorium of the Madison Masonic Center, on June 2 for the purpose of installing the Grand Lodge Officers.

Hensiak and his Lady Lois to the altar where they were saluted with a hearty round of applause. Grand Master Hensiak was escorted to the East.

The officers were installed and their ladies presented their collars. Grand Master elect L. Arby Humphrey was escorted to the altar. Before taking the Grand Master’s Charges all Lodge Masters present were asked to join the Grand Master elect at the altar, placing their hand on the shoulder of the Master in front of them. Brothers Ron Pete, William Conner III and Curt Campagna sang accompanied by Bro. Jim Stoebe as the Masters took their place at the altar. Grand Master elect L. Arby Humphery was escorted to the East by Piper Gary L. Barg and an See Installation on page 11 All-Star Soccer Games at UW–Whitewater July 22 The All-Star Soccer Camp, Banquet and Games will again be held at UW-Whitewater.

Activities will begin on Friday, July 21, with the All-Star Camp and the TOP Soccer program, a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. The All-Star Recognition Banquet will be held Sat., July 22, at 8 a.m. The All-Star Games will be Sat., July 22, starting with the Girls Game at 11 a.m. with the Boys Game following. Sponsors are needed. Would your lodge like to sponsor part of the Soccer Program? To support these young athletes or be part of this All-Star event contact Bro. David Tainter at dtainter@wi.rr.com or call 262- 689-2848.

160 Lodges Represented and 490 Brethren Attend the 173rd AC Wisconsin Grand Commandery presents the flag at the opening of the 173rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

Photo by Rich Rygh By Rich Rygh The 173rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Wisconsin was opened on June 2, at 8 a.m., by Bro. Michael Zvara, Master of Lake Lodge No. 189, and his officers. Following an alarm at the outer door Senior Deacon Jeremy Hilgendorf retired and received Deputy Grand Master L. Arby Humphrey and the Grand Lodge Officers. The Senior Deacon escorted the Deputy Grand Master to the East were he was accorded the Grand Honors. The gavel was turned over to the Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Lodge Officers assumed their stations. Grand Master Donald W.

Hensiak was escorted to the altar and introduced by Senior Grand Deacon Kenneth C. Gorgen. Deputy Grand Master Hensiak greeted Grand Master Struble at the altar and escorted him to the East where he received the gavel and was formally introduced followed by the Grand Honors.

The Past Grand Masters and honored guests were introduced by the Senior Grand Deacon and received by Grand Master Hensiak and Deputy Grand Master See AC on page 20

Published by the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin Summer 2017 The Wisconsin Masonic Journal, Publication Number 011-551 (ISSN No. 10770410), is the authorized publication of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin. It is published monthly except for the July/August issue which is combined. Periodical postage paid at Dousman, Wisconsin 53118 and additional offices.

Schultz (329) Res. 715-374-2801 Cell 715-817-3352 grand_tiler@wisc-freemasonry.org District Deputy Grand Masters District 1 George T. Eisenmann III (329) Res. 715-394-6630 Cell 612-325-6692 ge3shop@gmail.com Thoughts for the Journey By Reverend Donald F. Iliff, Grand Chaplain Grand Chaplain Donald F. Iliff can be reached at DonIliff@gmail.com or 608-399-1517. When you become a Shriner you become part of a brotherhood of men committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care for children in need. Becoming a Shriner is easier than you think and its rewards can be far more than you expect.

Take the first step, visit our website .

Shriners believe in you. Bro. Eugene Marcus Receives the Grand Master’s Meritorious Masonic Service Award Bro. Eugene Marcus was honored with the Grand Master’s Meritorious Masonic Service Award presented by Grand Master Donald W. Hensiak at the MilwaukeeHarmony Lodge No. 261 Past Master’s Dinner. Bro. Marcus was unable to be present at the Annual Communication. This is the highest award that can be presented by the Grand Master. Bro. Marcus is a 59 year Mason raised in Whitefish Bay Lodge No. 142 on June 4, 1958. He affiliated with Milwaukee-Harmony Lodge in 1982. He has served as Master of Milwaukee-Harmony Lodge where he now serves as Chaplain and Silas H.

Shepherd Lodge No. 1843 where he is currently the Senior Deacon. Bro. Marcus also served the Grand Lodge as District Chaplain for several years.

He was also presented the Emeritus Proficiency Card by Grand Lecturer Jerry A. Reick in 2015 for outstanding service in teaching and performing the ritual work. The Award reads. “His virtuous conduct and demeanor has brought credit and honor to himself and distinction to the Ancient Craft of Freemasonry.” Submitted by Past Grand Master Donald W. Hensiak Bro. Gene Marcus (left) receives the Grand Master’s Meritorious Masonic Service Award from Grand Master Donald W. Hensiak. Providing adult mentors for enthusiastic youth is a continuing mission of Demona.

DeMolay is a youth-led, adult advised organization.

They are always looking for adults who are Become a DeMolay Dad! willing to give unselfishly of their time helping build tomorrow’s leaders today! Learn more at: https://demolay.org/front-page/be-a-demolayvolunteer/. Amaranth Mystery Dinner July 29 at Madison Masonic Center Ever been to a mystery dinner? Come and see what it is all about and join in the fun. The Madison Court #7 Order of the Amaranth is hosting a mystery dinner on July 29 at the Madison Masonic Center. The dress is casual and western wear is suggested. The dinner is open to the public, bring your family and friends.

The meal will be served at 4:04 p.m. The cost is $24.24 for adults and children 10 and under will be $17.24. There is no mystery as to when the reservations are due, July 19, payable to Sally Acuff, and mail to 1217 Burning Way, Madison, WI 53704. It is no mystery that you will have a great time. Hope to see you there. There is no mystery about the fun you will have. Showing the Way This year the Grand Master’s pin features a lighthouse. A light house was a welcomed structure. By day it is an interesting piece of architecture. While lighthouses look similar, there are many variations. At night, they are a life-giving presence.

They not only signal danger, but also point the way. They give a point of reference to the navigator who then knows how to chart their way to the safest passage way. Light is symbolically used throughout Masonry in the degree program—“light, more light, further light”. We believe that as a candidate receives the degrees in Masonry, he is brought to light—educated, mentored, and befriended by a Brother Mason.

St. John the Evangelist writes: “And this is the message which we have heard from God, and which we pass on to you, that God is light, and there is no darkness at all.” In John 1:5 in the language and power of the Old Testament prophets and Psalmist, he tells us what God is and is not— “God is light, and Him is no darkness at all”. The word light is used interchangeably with the word truth. John was schooled in an Old Testament understanding of light and truth. In Psalms 119:105 we read, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path”. These passages remind the reader that God guides and shows the way.

For John the Evangelist, he reminds us that the pathway to a relationship with God is based on truth (light). God leads us to a way of living which lights the way to a successful and faith filled life.

As we raise good men in Masonry, we use allegories and symbolism to point them to Masonic values—honesty, equality, integrity, truthfulness, fidelity, and, morality—which will help them become better in all their relationships in life. As the lighthouses beacon of light shines in the darkness, similarly, the Mason receives light from the Holy Writings, guiding and inspiring him through the challenges of life. He also receives light from his relationships with fellow Masons. By the light of our example and words, we lead others to consider a life inspired by Deity. God is not only the light of life, God goes with us on the journey.

Masons know that “before any important undertakings to ask the blessing of Deity”. Masons learn that God is a source of light (truth) informing us as well as going with us through life. John writes that here is no dark side to God. God is the light who lights the way, as well as traveling with us. The good news/bad news is this divine light exposes our frailties and weaknesses, but offers us hope for what we can become. When new Masons are committing the posting material to memory , the counselor encourages the new Brother to stay with it and keep working, offering his positive support. In a similar way, God walks with us offering light in our darkness, hope in our despair, and reassurance in our challenges.

While it is one small pin that we wear on our lapels, it is a powerful reminder of the light of God’s presence lighting the way. Fraternally, Don Iliff Grand Chaplain Donald F. Iliff

1. Brown Almonds in butter in small skillet. Stir occasionally. Watch closely because it burns easily.

2. Mix all of the above ingredients in a salad bowl and coat with the dressing. Dressing ½ cup vegetable or canola oil ¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar ¼ cup sugar 1. Place all ingredients in shaker, and mix well. 2. Pour over salad 3. ENJOY Grand Master L. Arby Humphrey’s Pin Thank you for the opportunity to serve Wisconsin Free and Accepted Masons and for your trust and support as we move forward. For the past several years I've had the opportunity to participate in countless fraternal, charitable and administrative activities, traveling many miles in service to the craft. While all of these experiences have proved fulfilling, the time spent interacting with my Masonic brothers has been the real source of pure joy and inspiration.

I've found that Masonic service is a labor of love and the satisfaction that comes with it, is indeed, priceless. What we have in our fraternity is truly something special. On this year's Grand Master's pin you will note a lighthouse (you all knew an old sailor would have to have something nautical), a Square and Compasses and Acacia sprigs. A lighthouse, because for thousands of years lighthouses have been showing the way, guiding ships past troubled waters, providing a welcome and comforting sight for a sailor returning to the arms of loved ones.

The particular lighthouse on my pin is a likeness of the Lighthouse of Alexandria also known as the Pharos of Alexandria. Built by stonemasons between 280 and 247 BC it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the lighthouse was constructed from large blocks of light-colored stone. It took twelve years to complete, and served as a prototype for all later lighthouses in the world. The tower was said to have been built mostly with solid blocks of limestone. For many centuries the Lighthouse of Alexandria stood as one of the tallest manmade structures in the world. Badly damaged by three earthquakes between AD 956 and 1323, the lighthouse became abandoned until 1480 when stonemasons used the remnant stones in the construction of the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site.

The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria is considered one of the most important defensive strongholds, not only in Egypt, but also along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It formulated an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century AD. That Citadel was repurposed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. Some of those stones, quarried and shaped by stonemasons for the Lighthouse of Alexandria hundreds of years before Christ walked the earth, are still in use and remind us of strength, resiliency and skill.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria is symbolic of the light, strength, resiliency and of the important place that Freemasonry holds in the world. The light emulating from a lighthouse reminds us of Masonic Light. Just like the guiding light of a lighthouse guides sailors, so do the tenents of Freemasonry guide us, and show us the way to self-improvement. Likewise, as Freemasons, our actions and deeds must reflect a positive light on our families, our communities, the entire world and ourselves. The Square emulating light rays signifies morality and righteousness. The Compasses represent spirituality.

The G symbolizes God and God's will for us. The Acacia has three meanings; first, the Acacia is symbolic of rebirth. The sprig of acacia is a symbol of the immortality, being intended to remind us, by its evergreen and unchanging nature, of that better and spiritual part within us, which, as an emanation from the Great Architect of the Universe, can never die. Acacia is symbolic of rebirth and it's time for a rebirth of membership in our fraternity.

Secondly, the Acacia is a symbol of innocence. Ακακία in the Greek language signifies both the plant in question and the moral quality of innocence or purity of life. In this sense the Acacia refers to virtuous conduct, integrity of life and fidelity to trusts. Thirdly it serves to remind us of whence I came - from AcaciaItasca Lodge No. 329 in Superior, Wisconsin! Being a Mason certainly most doesn't make us perfect; but like the rough stone from the quarry we keep chipping away at the rough edges to improve our families, our communities, and ourselves.

It is my hope that all who wear this pin will be reminded that as Freemasons we look to God and our fraternity as a guiding light to show the way in all of our endeavors.

Wear it to remind ourselves that we represent Freemasons throughout the world; by our virtuous conduct and integrity and by our actions and deeds we show the way to others. Finally, the Acacia should remind us that it's time for a rebirth within our fraternity. Every Freemason needs to constantly be on the lookout for good men and then show the way, and guide them into our fraternity. The world needs more Freemasons. There can be no doubt that the world will be a much better place with even more Wisconsin Masons Showing the Way!

Photo by Michelle Allen Photography Brethren, For some reason, Masonic education has become this thing that is feared by many. In many Lodges, it has fallen to the last item on the agenda and is often the first thing that is cut from it when there is a lengthy discussion in Lodge. It seems to intimidate many and is often thought of as something that can only be done or presented by a "learned expositor". In terms of the Brethren that are present for a Masonic education presentation, they also sometimes avoid it for fear that the presentation may be dry and uninteresting.

The fact is that Masonic education is something that should neither be feared nor intimidating.

It is something that each of us should look forward to and when done correctly is something that is engaging and is something that anyone can do. When you break down the different types of Masonic education and pick the type that is best suited for your Lodge, it makes what can be seen as a daunting task, something much easier to accomplish. The three general types of Masonic education are applied Freemasonry, Masonic history, esoteric Freemasonry. Each are equally important and each have their own place in the Lodge and in your communications. Applied Freemasonry is probably the easiest to start with, especially for a Lodge that is just starting to provide Masonic education again.

Applied Freemasonry is the idea of applying the principles reinforced by Freemasonry to our lives. Take the lesson of the square, for example. The square teaches morality and emphasis, the need for each of us to continually build our character and strive to "do the right thing" and practice good behavior. A simple Masonic education piece in the lodge could be to encourage the Brethren present to discuss the square and explain how they have used it in their lives, both inside and outside of the lodge.

The Masonic Study Series, published by the Masonic Education Committee, focuses on the idea of applied Freemasonry along with open discussions on the topic. If you have not already seen it, I recommend that you check it out of the Grand Lodge website. Masonic history is another type of Masonic education that is easily done. This does not need to be on the origins of Freemasonry, or how Freemasonry came to the United States, though both are very worthwhile topics. It can simply be a history on the Lodge or perhaps the events of a particular stated communication, or maybe even the Masonic or personal history of a recognized or influential member of the Lodge.

In either of the examples above, both presentations can be done briefly and in such a manner that they engage everyone that is present. The last thought I would like to leave you with in this message is where Masonic education is located on your agenda. Many Lodges put it at the end of the agenda. This makes it easy to cut if the meeting goes long. If it does not get cut from the agenda, it can be viewed as an afterthought and Brothers that are anxious to return to their families may have lost interest by this point. My recommendation is to move it up in the agenda. There is nothing that says it has to be the last thing for the evening.

By moving it up, perhaps before old and new business, it puts an emphasis on Masonic education which is a thought I think each of you agree with. In addition, those conversations that may go long and otherwise cause education to be cut from the agenda may themselves be shorter and conclude faster. Be careful, however, not to hold your audiences captive.

At the annual communication this past June, I led a breakout titled "Masonic education without falling asleep.” I gave the more than 100 Brethren in attendance a challenge that I want to pass along to everyone: to present a Masonic education piece at your lodge's next stated communication and pass what was presented and the feedback from the Brethren along to me. Make Masonic education a priority in your meetings. It is through this education that we complete our duty of teaching morality and building character.

Campbell’s Presentation Honoring the 300th Anniversary of the Formation of the Grand Lodge of England Past Grand Master Craig S. Campbell. Photo by Rich Rygh As we celebrate the 173rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, we wish to pay tribute and honor the 300th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of England, from whom the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin derives its origin. One of the great things about studying history is learning about why something happened. Paul Harvey made a career out of sharing the back-stories on many historical events and people. Let’s face it, the fact THAT something happened is not nearly as interesting as WHAT LED it to happening.

For example, the Packers beat the Lions in 2015 in Detroit. No big deal, right – over the last few decades, the Packers beat the Lions in Detroit many times. But when you learn that they won the game on a hail mary pass on the final play with no time left on the clock, where Aaron Rodgers threw the ball about 65 yards in the air, it makes the event much more interesting. Even more so, and how quickly we forget, that final play was set up by the Packers, then in desperation mode, who completed a pass to the left flat with six seconds remaining, and began the typically unsuccessful series of laterals hoping somehow that the field might open up to allow one of the ball carriers to make it into the end zone as the time expired.

On that play, the second lateral came back to Rodgers, who was immediately corralled by a Lion defender and thrown to the turf, but who inadvertently grabbed Rodger’s facemask in the process. Of course, flags flew. And a football game cannot end on a defensive penalty, so the Packers got to line up to run one more play with zero seconds on the clock, and the rest, they say, is history. And as Paul Harvey would say, “And now you know . the rest of the story.” So the fact that the Grand Lodge of England got its start 300 years ago is not nearly as interesting as the back story of what led to it.

And, in my opinion, is also not as interesting as the consequences of what emanated from it.

Just imagine how the world has changed in 300 years. We can easily cite the obvious . . . mobility - air travel, automobiles; electricity; computers; long distance communication, actually – global communication – with satellites orbiting the planet; and the internet. These are just in the last one hundred. Less recent, but equally important . vaccines; water purification: refrigeration; structural steel; and perhaps the greatest contribution that changed the world . agricultural automation. Without it, people remain agrarian, barely able to raise enough food each season for their own families to survive a single winter.

In the span of 300 years, maps have been re-drawn. Coastlines have changed, cities sprang up and died, entire countries and governments have come and gone. New ones were born.

Freemasonry, notwithstanding, has still survived. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of a faithful breast. Truly an institution that has outlived the fortunes of kings and the mutations of empires. Now let us transport ourselves – – jump through the wormhole and land in London, June 24, 1717. Officially, the Premier Grand Lodge of England was founded this day when four existing Lodges gathered at the Goose and Gridiron Alehouse in St. Paul's were forming lodges and evolving a form of ritualistic Masonry, they were not alone.

On Friday, October 13, 1307, the Templar Knights were officially excommunicated by Pope Clement V. And in a conspiracy to absolve his kingdom of extensive debts owed to the Knights, King Philip IV of France ordered a mass-arrest of all Templars and their property to be confiscated. During forced interrogation by royal agents at the University of Paris two weeks later, DeMolay confessed to a Templar initiation ritual, which allegedly proved heresy among the order. Five years later, at the Council of Vienne, the Order of the Knights Templar was abolished by papal decree, and two years after that, on March 14, 1414, Jacques DeMolay was burned at the stake just outside the Notre Dame Cathedral.

As many as 57 Templars were burned at the stake, but over the course of the decade hundreds escaped capture and fled to nearby countries, most notably Scotland, Ireland, and England, and there is some evidence even across the Atlantic to Nova Scotia and northeast Canada. The Knights Templar, founded in 1119, operated under a strict code of moral conduct, they were devoutly religious, they were led by a Grand Master, and they conducted new members through an initiation ritual. It is believed they practiced an ancient form of rituals and ceremonies transcended to them from records found while occupying and excavating the ruins of King Solomon’s Temple.

It is entirely possible they founded their order specifically to resurrect this ancient craft.

The United Grand Lodge of England, as it is known today, had its origin under the name of The Premier Grand Lodge of London and Westminster. The new Grand Lodge was evidently not immediately attractive to the older "St. John's" or independent lodges. During the 1730s and 1740s antipathy increased between the London Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland. Irish and Scottish Masons visiting and living in London considered the London Grand Lodge to have deviated substantially from the ancient practices of the Craft. As a result, these Masons felt a stronger kinship with the unaffiliated London Lodges.

The aristocratic nature of the London Grand Lodge and its members alienated other Masons causing them also to identify with the unaffiliated Lodges. On July 17, 1751, representatives of five independent Lodges gathered at the Turk's Head Tavern in London and formed a rival Grand Lodge –– “The Grand Lodge of England According to the Old Institutions." They considered that they practiced a more ancient and therefore purer form of Masonry, passed down to them through the Knights Templar, and called their Grand Lodge The “Ancients' Grand Lodge”. They called those affiliated with the Premier Grand Lodge by the pejorative epithet “The Moderns”.

These two unofficial names stuck. A young Benjamin Franklin was one of the earliest of the Moderns, being accepted into the fraternity in 1731, only fourteen years after the Premier Grand Lodge of England was formed. Sixty-two years later, in 1813, they reconciled their differences and formed the United Grand Lodge of England, prevailing today.

It is at this point that the history gets really interesting. Because it is from here that we examine WHY lodges became lodges and we tie to it what has happened because they did. To understand these things, we need to examine the political undercurrents that were stewing in these centuries. It’s kind of interesting that in today’s world, we have instant gratification at every turn. Microwave ovens heat food in mere seconds, telephones span oceans and allow us to talk with loved ones in real time. We have “live” television coverage. But in the 1400’s through the 1600’s, no such “instant” anything existed.

But the times, they were a changin’.

In the year 1381 , there was a Churchyard in London and constituted themselves a Grand Lodge. The four lodges had previously met together a year earlier at the Apple-Tree Tavern where they designated their chairman to be the oldest Master Mason, and constituted themselves a “Grand Lodge pro Tempore in due form." It was at that meeting in 1716 that they resolved to hold the Assembly annually to come together and jointly celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist, at which time they would then choose a Grand Master from among themselves, which they did the following year. All four lodges were simply named after the public houses where they were accustomed to meet, at the Goose and Gridiron Alehouse in St.

Paul's Churchyard (the Lodge now called Lodge of Antiquity No. 2); the Crown Alehouse in Parker's Lane off Drury Lane; the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden (the Lodge now called Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12); and the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster (the Lodge now called Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. IV). While the three London lodges were mainly operative lodges, the Rummer and Grapes, by the Palace of Westminster, appears to have been primarily a lodge of accepted and speculative gentlemen masons.

Little is known of their assemblies in the earliest years because minutes of their meetings were not recorded for the first six years. However, in 1723 the organization became a regulatory body, more than just a feast celebrating the Festival of St. John the Baptist because it was in this year that minutes were taken and the Reverend Doctor James Anderson was commissioned to digest the old “Gothic Constitutions” of Freemasonry which included a great deal of the history of Freemasonry dating back to Biblical times, all the way to defining the method of constituting a new lodge.

But why even meet? Why become a Grand Lodge? For that matter, why were lodges even becoming lodges? For answers to these questions, we have to look at how the world had changed in the 300 years before them.

Certain developments and inventions literally changed the world: saltpeter (better known as gunpowder); durable and consistent wood-based paper; the printing press (which was really the advent of mass communication); and the steam engine As in all ages, countries and governments came and went. New ones were born.

And Freemasonry survived it all. So what was it that led to the formation of lodges? How were these developments instrumental? While the actual origin of Freemasonry is yet unknown, some things are absolutely certain. An evolution was taking place in the assemblies of practicing stonemasons. They developed a system of qualifying apprenticeship, advancement and examination, with an emphasis on education and demonstrating proficiency of fundamental truths. And believe it or not, these assemblies of practicing stonemasons actually called themselves “lodges.” And as we learned earlier, it was quite customary to name the lodge after the place of its meeting, which, prior to becoming a predominately social institution, was generally the cathedral at which they were laboring.

The oldest records held within the Grand Lodge of Scotland are minutes of a meeting held at the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) No. 1, which date from 1599, over 100 years before the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. As we all know, most of these cathedrals took decades and sometimes centuries to build. The new St. Peter’s Basilica built on the site of the original temple in the heart of Vatican City was begun in 1506 and completed in 1626, 120 years. Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin Scotland, a cathedral of the Edinburgh Diocese had its groundbreaking in 1456, and was completed 100 years later, around 1556.

This chapel was one of the last cathedral-style buildings employing the artisan craftsmanship of the traditional stonemasons that were so influential in the architecture and construction across much of Europe dating back nearly 1000 years, as early as the year 313 when Emperor Constantine I legalized Christianity. The cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris had its groundbreaking in the year 1163 and was completed in 1345, a span of 182 years. And King Solomon’s Temple was constructed between 900 and 800 B.C. Since the construction of these buildings spanned decades and centuries, it was necessary to constantly educate generations of new workers on the plans, the progress, the culture, the standards.

Emanating from the practicing stonemasons were certain rules of conduct, and as literacy emerged, these were written down, and were called “Charges.” The oldest of the “Old Charges” is the Regius Poem, written around 1450. The document relates how the craft of masonry was brought to England during the reign of King Athelstan in the mid-900’s and tells how all the masons of the land came to the King for direction as to their governance, and how Athelstan, together with the nobility and landed gentry, forged the fifteen articles for the master concerning both moral behaviour (do not harbour thieves, do not take bribes, attend church regularly, etc.) and the operation of work on a building site (do not make your masons labour at night, teach apprentices properly, do not take on jobs that you cannot do etc.).

Not long after, in the 1480’s the Cooke Manuscript was penned. The Matthew Cooke Manuscript is the second oldest of the Old Charges or Gothic Constitutions of Freemasonry, and the oldest known set of charges to be written in prose. It contains some repetition, but compared to the Regius Poem there is also much new material.

After an opening thanksgiving prayer, the text enumerates the Seven Liberal Arts, giving precedence to geometry, which it equates with masonry. According to the legends, Freemasonry dates back to the time of the construction of King Solomon’s Temple. This enormous structure required a highly organized workforce and led to stonemasons, architects, and others being organized into various grades or guilds, each with its own responsibilities. British archaeologist Sir William Petrie, while excavating in the Libyan desert in the late 1880’s, unearthed papyrus records describing secret meetings of such a guild taking place around 2000 BC.

The records concerned not only matters such as working hours, wages, and rules for their labor, but also the relief and assistance for workers in distress and for widows and orphans.